. >> even so, france is still one of the world's five largest economies. when the french work, their productivity per hour is among the highest in the world, even better than in the u.s. problem is, french workers are on the job almost 300 hours less per year than their american counterparts, so french economic growth lags far behind the u.s. >> people understand very well that the french system will not survive long if it's not reformed. people have to work more. for years, people thought that they could work less and earn more. >> but they can't. >> which is absurd. >> editor stephane marchand says other countries in europe are already moving in the other direction, increasing the work week without raising salaries. and france has made some minor reforms in its 35-hour work week. it's a question of economic survival. >> the germans are showing us the way. german companies are saying the employees, "okay, you renounce the 35-hour week or we take your jobs and we send them to hungary, poland, if not china. >> so there should be huge political support then